There is hope after stroke, and a reader needs help identifying photos
I was fifty (50) years young when I had my life-threatening stroke. I want to give a hopeful face to stroke. Stroke can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or race. Women, younger women, are often misdiagnosed or symptoms missed.
The National Stroke Association brought together a group of inspired and committed stroke advocates (survivors and caregivers) to receive training on advocacy and to apply that training on Capitol Hill. This group is the first of its kind to connect, organize and advocate for better stroke awareness to improve policies and surround stroke care. I felt privileged to be asked to speak to our national lawmakers on behalf of stroke survivors in our country and to help educate them on the difficulties stroke survivors and stroke care givers encounter. How wonderful it was to be with these individuals who, like me, have endured the trials of stroke. To be able to speak, as well as, understand the unspoken language of stroke survivors and caregivers.
“National Stroke Association Lobby Day” was a great opportunity empowering advocates to share their personal story in a way that can make a big difference for all stroke survivors and their families. Ron (my husband and chief care giver) and I attended on one-day seminar on June 22, which provided us the useful tools necessary to meet with our leaders on the “Hill” on Thursday, June 23, and effectively discuss issues on the congressional agenda and for budget year 2012.
During our training on advocacy on Wednesday, our speaker, Dr. Walter J. Koroshetz, Deputy Director for National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) briefed us on the cutting-edge research and trials being conducted for stroke research. Dr. Koroshetz, who was leaving for a conference on stroke the very next day to China, reminded us all – in China, we would not have the opportunity to go express our views to our leaders, like we do here in America.
Legislative change is needed to provide appropriate care to individuals who have survived a stroke. Younger survivors are not being served well with regard to getting their lives back, dealing with depression and the anxiety of having another stroke, while trying to raise a family and return to work. Survivors need to educate policy decision- makers about the issues and problems we face to help remove any and all roadblocks in order to receive proper care and rehabilitation.
On Thursday, June 23, our group made our way to Capitol Hill. Ron and I were assigned the offices of Michigan’s United States Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin. In the afternoon we visited the office of Congressman Mike Rogers. We shared our story of my stroke, the challenges we encountered and the hopes that funding would be maintained for the National Institute of Health (NIH), which is instrumental in research for stroke and neurological diseases.
How awesome to be able to express our experience first-hand, to walk into their offices and tell our story and request their assistance on behalf of all stroke survivors.
Maurine Mitchell
Stroke Survivor
Reader needs help identifying photos
Hi, I’m dong some family research and have found a picture that looks like Elston Packaging and Storage Company with a truck outside it that has this same logo on the side and it says “This is the old truck Ed used to drive with a load of paper ready to take to the press. It’s a United Truck.” Do you know of any records that would show anything about this place? It may be St. Johns or it could be Ovid, MI. I’m looking for clues.
Probably South Ovid
Also have one of an old steam engine, it an extra so will put it in too.
Do you have any information on a book that was mentioned some time ago in the Clinton County paper about school houses in Clinton county? Trying to locate the Wilson School.
Thanks,
Diana Vanorsdol